DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN THE SINHALA AND TAMIL PRESS |
Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: “If the Democratic Tamil National Alliance agrees, the TNA will be back”; Sumanthiran announces that the Central Working Committee of the ITAK granted approval | A ruling party Pradeshiya Sabha member arrested Thinakaran: National People’s Power government’s second budget; speech tomorrow | “Financial affairs matters; if summoned, we will respond in the House” – Central Bank Governor | “India is a reliable partner in Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and growth” – Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha | All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama meets the Foreign Minister of the Vatican |
Thinakkural: “Accept the stance of the ITAK and come to function as the Tamil National Alliance!” Sumanthiran’s invitation to the Democratic Tamil National Alliance, says a meeting was also held with the Tamil National People’s Front | “Will the provincial council election be held?; the parliament to decide” – Mahinda Deshapriya Thamilan: Development Budget! President to submit it tomorrow, Minister Wasantha informs that there are new plans | Proposal to introduce a wealth tax; Champika seeks clarification on implementation |
Sinhala Headlines
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Lankadeepa: The trip that started in Kiribathgoda ends up turning into a funeral: Five who went bathing in the Deduru Oya fall victim to it | Principal apprehended with 1 kg of heroin following hotel raid: [his] wife, an NPP Urban Council member, also questioned Divaina: “Mirantha was shot in order to take revenge on my father” – A YouTube voice recording from youth; “murderers have been identified, those involved in the murder are being pursued” – IGP | To whom will the lay custody of the Sacred Tooth Relic be entrusted? Verdict to be given tomorrow Mawbima: The principal of a school in Eppawala and his son arrested while in possession of drugs: investigations into the wife, who is an NPP Urban Council member | All vehicles in courts that have been confiscated or are ownerless to be auctioned
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Dinamina: “Rs. 227 billion profit gained from state enterprises: if these were sold, the profit would go to the private sector” – Deputy Minister of Industry Chathuranga Abeysinghe Aruna: If the tax on margarine is reduced, the price of a kilo of cake will decrease by Rs. 200; bakery goods would also be reduced by Rs. 10 – Bakery owners certify Anidda: This paper is published on Fridays only |
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Sri Lanka Mirror
“If the Democratic Tamil National Alliance agrees, the TNA will be back”; Sumanthiran announces that the Central Working Committee of the ITAK granted approval
Thamilan, Thinakkural, Virakesari
The Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) Central Working Committee (CWC) met in Vavuniya on 5 November, where it discussed the upcoming Budget and efforts to re-establish the Tamil National Alliance (TNA).
ITAK Secretary M.A. Sumanthiran stated that the party’s Parliamentary Group and Political Committee will jointly decide on a final voting stance on the Budget before the conclusion of the Second Reading.
Furthermore, the CWC approved inviting all Tamil political groups, including the Democratic Tamil National Alliance (DTNA) and the Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF), to work together under ITAK’s precondition for TNA reunification.
The party also confirmed it has requested a meeting with the President to discuss a political solution, but has yet to receive a response, and it will not participate in the Opposition’s upcoming rally.
31 individuals identified among those who carried out the attack at ‘GotaGoGama’
Thamilan, Thinakkural, Thinakaran The Attorney General (AG) has informed the Supreme Court that 31 individuals have been identified for their involvement in the attack on the ‘GotaGoGama’ protesters at Galle Face Green in May 2022. State Counsel Sajith Bandara, appearing for the AG, stated that indictments are set to be filed against the identified suspects, who include several MPs. The information was presented during the hearing of five fundamental rights petitions filed by protesters who allege that the inaction of the police and other respondents to enforce law and order violated their fundamental human rights. Counsel for the petitioners argued that the unfortunate situation occurred due to the police being “inactive” during the incident. |
“India’s cooperation in the electricity and energy sectors” – Jaishankar assures Sajith
Thamilan, Thinakkural, Virakesari
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, during an official visit to New Delhi, met with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to discuss strengthening the India-Sri Lanka partnership. Premadasa thanked Jaishankar for India’s significant assistance during Sri Lanka’s recent economic crisis. The two leaders reviewed progress on key connectivity initiatives, including maritime and air links, and the proposed power grid interconnection between the two nations. Premadasa outlined Sri Lanka’s long-term economic recovery plan, ongoing reforms, and the roadmap for maintaining debt sustainability. Jaishankar committed to facilitating the Opposition party’s MPs to explore power and energy cooperation, leveraging India’s successful partnerships with Bhutan and Nepal. |
Protest against the Thayiddi Vihara in Jaffna
Thamilan, Thinakkural The Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF), alongside local residents and land owners, is carrying out a continued protest demanding the removal of the Tissa Vihara, located in Thayiddi, Jaffna. The protest began at 4:00 p.m. two days ago and concluded at 6:00 p.m., before resuming yesterday morning (5th). The protest is reportedly held continuously on every Poya Day. |
“We will continue to protest until the 14 wind turbines are stopped” – Mannar Citizens’ Committee
Thinakkural
The Mannar Citizens’ Committee will continue its protest until the President accepts all three of its demands, according to the Committee’s Chairperson, Rev. Fr. S. Marcus. The priest thanked the President for the recent happy news that no future wind power projects will be initiated in Mannar District, but noted that the ongoing work for 14 current wind turbine projects would not be stopped. The three key demands are the removal of the 14 new wind turbines being built on Mannar Island, written assurance to fully mitigate all damages caused to the people by the existing 36 turbines, and a ban on all mineral sand mining in Mannar District. The group affirmed it will intensify the protest, including a torch protest across villages, when the current demonstration reaches its one hundredth day. |
SINHALA PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: Daily News
Russia bestows Order of Friendship on Dr. Saman Weerasinghe
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna
President of Russia Vladimir Putin conferred one of Russia’s most prestigious civilian honors—the Order of Friendship—on Secretary General of the Sri Lanka–Russia Friendship Society and Head of the Russian Geographical Society in Sri Lanka, Dr. Saman Weerasinghe.
Dr. Weerasinghe, who is a former Sri Lankan Ambassador to the Russian Federation, received the award for his decades-long work in strengthening bilateral ties between Russia and Sri Lanka.
Weerasinghe expressed gratitude to President Putin during his speech for acknowledging his contribution and reaffirmed his commitment to deepening cultural, educational, and humanitarian cooperation.
Addressing the gathering, President Putin praised Dr. Weerasinghe’s role in fostering mutual understanding and collaboration.
“Saman Weerasinghe makes a great contribution to strengthening cultural and humanitarian ties with Russia,” Putin noted.
The event took place on Russian National Unity Day.
Principal apprehended with 1 kg of heroin following hotel raid: [his] wife, an NPP Urban Council member, also questioned
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Aruna The police stated that a principal of a primary school in Eppawala, Anuradhapura, was arrested with heroin. Papers report that during the raid, authorities recovered 1 kg and 185 g of heroin, reportedly belonging to the principal, which had been hidden at the back of a hotel in Eppawala. Police sources reported further that the wife of the principal is a member of the Peliyagoda Urban Council representing the NPP and that she had been taken in for questioning by the police. The Anuradhapura Criminal Investigation Division is conducting further investigations into the incident. |
“Rs. 227 billion profit gained from state enterprises” – Deputy Minister of Industry Chathuranga Abeysinghe
Dinamina
Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe stated that government-owned business entities have generated a profit of Rs. 227 billion for the Treasury during the first half of this year. Abeysinghe noted that there are several loss-making enterprises that have been rendered inefficient by corrupt and incompetent individuals. He added that a restructuring process has been initiated to make these businesses profitable. Abeysinghe further stated that the income received by the Treasury from state institutions can be strengthened even more in the coming years. |
‘Ratama Ekata’ initiative: 1,205 raids, 1,197 arrested
Dinamina
The police stated that 1,197 suspects involved in drugs were arrested following 1,205 raids carried out across the island since Tuesday (4th), under the ‘Ratama Ekata’ (A Nation United) National Mission.
A Nation United National Mission was launched on October 30 with the aim of completely eradicating the drug trade prevalent in the country through a multifaceted approach.
This approach includes minimising demand for drugs, expanding operations, rehabilitating those addicted, implementing preventive programs to curb drug abuse, and empowering communities against narcotics.
Of the total 1,197 suspects arrested, 35 individuals were taken in under detention orders.
The Police further stated that 11 of these individuals have been directed towards rehabilitation.
COMMON PRIORITIES: SINHALA & TAMIL PRESS |
Photo credits: Ada Derana
The trip that started in Kiribathgoda ends up turning into a funeral: Five who went bathing in the Deduru Oya fall victim to it
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Dinamina, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakaran
Five individuals belonging to the same family and residing in Makola, Kiribathgoda, drowned in the Deduru Oya yesterday (5th).
Senior Superintendent of Police Rohan Perera, in charge of the Chilaw Division, stated that the bodies of four people have been recovered.
He added that divers and villagers made tireless efforts late last night to find the one person still missing in the water.
The SSP stated that the deceased were between the ages of 16 and 17.
The group had traveled from Makola to Chilaw on a trip in the morning and had stopped to bathe in the Deduru Oya on their return journey.
The Police mentioned that a large board indicating that the location is unsafe has even been erected at the site.
It is reported that about 10 people who were bathing at the time began to drown, and local residents banded together to rescue the rest of the group.
Hingurakgoda NPP PS member wreaks havoc in police (station)
Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Aruna, Virakesari, Thinakkural
Hingurakgoda NPP Pradeshiya Sabha Member Saman Udaya Kumara was arrested yesterday (5th) in connection with an incident in which he allegedly obstructed police officers at the Hingurakgoda Police Station.
The police stated that the suspect had entered the station and behaved in a disruptive manner, accusing officers of arresting his younger brother.
The suspect’s younger brother had been arrested on suspicion of obstructing the duties of Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) employees who had visited his residence to disconnect the power supply.
The arrested Pradeshiya Sabha member was granted bail after being produced before the Hingurakgoda Magistrate.
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Common priorities: Additional stories
1. Ambalangoda murder: “Mirantha was shot in order to take revenge on my father” – A YouTube voice recording from youth; “murderers have been identified, those involved in the murder are being pursued” – IGP – Lankadeepa, Divaina, Mawbima, Virakesari, Thinakkural
2. Budget 2026 to be presented tomorrow – Divaina, Dinamina, Aruna, Thinakaran, Thamilan
3. “I will come to the parliament itself and address the economic issues” – Nandalal Weerasinghe – Mawbima, Virakesari, Thinakaran, Thinakkural
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